Championship Game

Marie’s modified soccer team made it to the championship game.  Unfortunately, it was on the WORST field ever.  One corner of the field is on a hill… I’m not making that up.  So if the ball goes out in that corner, they have to move the ball to another corner for a corner kick.  The field is also on a slight hill.

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These awesome kids played so well.  They didn’t even buckle when the ref made multiple questionable calls.  Their wonderful coach sets such a great example of humility and nobility.

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My sweet SK girl cried on the way home.

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She’s not sad because they lost.  She’s sad because it is over.

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Fall party at PCC

When my coworker asked me switch hours with her so she could take care of something, I JUMPED at the opportunity: it meant I could go to the fall party with my family.

Dinosaur Barbeque (was amazing).

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Stewart guarding the door to the maze.

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I couldn’t get nice photos of many of the activities.  There was apple bobbing, face painting, pumpkin sling shot, pumpkin seed spitting (ewwwwww – I skipped that!).

But INDOORS there was a maze.  The youth pastor and worship pastor created this maze with chairs and sheeting.

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The kids had a blast. 

Goal!

SK games are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except when they are on Mondays.
Mommy works on Fridays and Saturdays, except when she works on Mondays.

Marie got a goal on Monday, October 16 while Mommy was at work.
Really.

But – this is where I love our fabulous God’s care for us.
Marie recently started attending youth group.  Her youth pastor, D.L. had sent out an informative email a few weeks back and mentioned if our kids had games, or concerts, or meets, etc., to let him know as he enjoys supporting the kids in their endeavors.  Well – it had dawned on me when I read that email to let him know about Marie’s games.  But I let it go, because the youth group is HUGE this year and I thought it was better not to add to his load when he could maybe concentrate on the oldest kids who would be leaving youth group sooner; Marie has years of soccer in front of her. 

However, this morning I felt a huge nudge push of the Holy Spirit to let D.L. know Marie had two upcoming home games.  I argued with the Holy Spirit for a while and finally decided I would just let D.L. know, but also let him know we had zero expectation he needed to attend at all, much less these two upcoming games.

Hours later, after the text was forgotten, I was in the med room at work.  Nan had taken Marie to the game and was texting me play-by-plays.  Then there it was – the text, “Marie got a goal!”  Tears of both joy and regret sprung to my eyes.  How had I missed that?  I struggled and talked to God about my anger, disappointment, and also about how weary I am in general with my aggressive October work schedule.  My good God comforted me, and I pushed through my responsibilities.

About an hour later I was having dinner and I got this image on my phone from D.L.

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It was this shot that delivered the goal. 

I can’t make this stuff up.

God is so good. 

Cars that speak for you…

The girls and I were laughing heartily this morning as we considered the message our van might have been sending as we had careened under yellow light after yellow light on Route 31.
The message from the last photo had us laughing the hardest as Marie suggested a new meaning for her soccer team cheer.

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Psalm 121:8

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.